How Do I Get A Job Working in A 5* Hotel?

TheMindsetTraveller on 17/12/2020 - 10:50

Hi all,

TL:DR How do I get my foot in the door of a 5* hotel, happy to be in any position really? What courses should I be considering right now? What kind of job should I be looking at to get some hands-on experience? I am in Sydney, if that has any bearing.

I turned 40 this year and I started to reflect upon my life and what really drives me.

I remember as a young teenager when I stepped into my first 5* hotel, the former ANA Hotel (now Shangri La Sydney) back in the early 90's and always dreamt of becoming the hotel manager. Life then pulled me into a different direction and I made many choices that took me away from that.

I love to travel (which is a luxury) and I love to help people (which gives me meaning).

I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively prior to Covid and I think where I want to be in the next chapters of my life, is to be serving others in a luxurious resort setting. I have been the guest of some amazing properties around this world, and all I want to do is be that person that makes your in-resident resort stay amazing - that would be my dream with or without pay.

Yes I accept that I need to start right at the bottom even if it means working in the less classier establishments but I am prepared to do whatever it takes.

So my question to those who have gone this route of working in a hotel/resort, here or abroad.

Any input is appreciated & maybe I might be serving you one day.

TMT

Education & Work

Comments

  • GG57 on 17/12/2020 - 11:12

    So many jobs within a hotel / resort setting, and a lot of them don't have customer contact. If that contact / service is your passion, have a look at William Angliss (or similar) specialist training providers.
    From my experience, what you enjoyed as a guest is not always aligned with behind-the-scenes, but you won't know unless you give it a go.

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 17/12/2020 - 11:37

      Thank you for the William Angliss suggestion, the institute looks promising and something I would not have looked into without your prompting.

      I do recognise that being a guest and serving a guest might be not aligned, or somewhat opposite even, but happy to give it a go.

      Did you work in the hospitality industry at some point or are you still in it?

      • GG57 on 17/12/2020 - 12:45

        I have in the past, primarily food and beverage.

  • AustriaBargain on 17/12/2020 - 11:19
    +1

    Could be a good move, five star hotels will never stop hiring humans even when robots can do it better. I bet it takes a certain kind of person to do it well though. A particular set of skills and personal attributes.

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 17/12/2020 - 11:44

      Nothing beats a personalised and bespoke service, something which a robot or AI aren't there yet (but what would I know about robots?)

      Would love to help others and make their stay memorable, but as what GG57 said, it could be a completely different story working behind the scenes.

      Change is normal in life and I believe this is where I want to be moving forward - even if I end up sweeping the grounds of a lovely resort or serving coffee at one of the restaurants, count me in.

      • AustriaBargain on 17/12/2020 - 11:57

        Though wouldn't they usually want younger people serving, with so many young people competing for jobs in the future why would a fancy hotel choose an older person who doesn't look as fresh faced or as good in tight uniforms.

        • TheMindsetTraveller on 17/12/2020 - 12:10

          Maybe you are correct about age (or even good looks) bias' but I would hope that I can point out why I would love to work in a hotel/resort. Why I want to help guests, why I want to serve guests, and why I would not be doing this for money.

          As I said, I have stayed in some uber-luxurious properties and have had some magical experiences. I would love to be able to share and make that guests feel exactly the same way I felt. If I am sweeping the gounds of a resort, I would feel like I am on holidays anyway, but I think my extensive travel history and and love for travel, fine dining, luxury travel experiences could also be a positive factor.

          • AustriaBargain on 17/12/2020 - 13:03

            @TheMindsetTraveller: If you’re fine with sweeping at any resort, I bet you could probably easily achieve that if you put your mind to it.

  • Agarwal on 17/12/2020 - 11:49

    Are you any good at scrubbing toilets?

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 17/12/2020 - 11:58

      My wife says no but I am willing to learn effective ways to clean toilets.

  • dasher86 on 17/12/2020 - 11:55
    +1

    my mind quickly jumped into meet a business man in the bar.

    then this was in the TLDR

    happy to be in any position really

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 17/12/2020 - 11:57
      +1

      very cheeky - everyone has a price right? ha ha ha

  • dasher86 on 17/12/2020 - 12:01

    Foot in the door working in a regional boutique hotel.
    Transfer to another hotel / branch rated 5 stars

  • Stewardo on 17/12/2020 - 12:22

    If I were you, I’d get well dressed, concentrating on grooming, then walk into those hotels in Sydney after 10AM and ask the hotel managers there opinion on your questions. If you get rejected walk to the next one. They would be the best people to ask which course is best to study. This might also get you a better chance of getting an entry level job opening the door, carrying the bags etc, as you would be well presented, showing confidence, initiative.

  • Kungpin on 17/12/2020 - 12:30

    I worked for Hilton for about 10 years. Food and beverage can be your foot in the door. Try and get a job working in the bar, restaurant, room service or functions. From there you if you do well, can transition into front office or back office. Most hotels like to promote internally.

    Just be wary that hotel industry is a risk at the moment due to Covid and you may have to work through hotel quarantine, which I don't think would be pleasant.

    • AustriaBargain on 17/12/2020 - 13:05

      I’d show up in a mask anyway if I were randomly going hotel to hotel.

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 17/12/2020 - 17:39

      Thanks for that info. Looking at something entry level, then front office, then wouldn't mind becoming like a personal butler/host at a Conrad / Waldorf Astoria / St Regis / or even a W property… I think that would be perfect for me.

      Totally understand the travel industry is at risk right now but hoping that if I get a foot in the door, things might pick up a bit. I still have to my day to day job until then.

      • antojamo on 11/01/2021 - 21:39

        F&B is a great entry point into the hospitality industry if you have no tertiary qualifications. Being a banquet server used to be a good entry point, but obviously there arent many banquets these days.

        I spent 7 years working in the front office of hotels (4-5 star) around Sydney. Like any job, it had lots of good points but also bad. The shift work can get tiring, as can standing on your feet for 8 hours. You do get to meet lots of interesting people and the work can be exciting at times, but there is also a negative element where you can be exposed to things you'd rather not be.

        • TheMindsetTraveller on 11/01/2021 - 22:49

          Thank you for your comments, very helpful. My current job has given me a lot of negative exposure to things too …. but it is part of the job, and without seeing those things it probably would not have given me more appreciation.

          Mind me asking what kind of education did you have?

          • antojamo on 13/01/2021 - 09:00
            +1

            @TheMindsetTraveller: I attended a hospitality school for a 2 year diploma. There are a a few options out there, but even TAFE has some hospitality cert available.

  • brendanm on 17/12/2020 - 21:17

    You will just have to deal with entitled lunatics.

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